Members of the North Platte Community College Softball Team spent their spring break helping flood victims in eastern Nebraska.

Fifteen players, two coaches and a bus driver, dedicated almost seven hours to cleaning up a basement belonging to the parents of Emily Marsden. Marsden is one of the players on the team. Her hometown of Papillion suffered significant flood damage from storms earlier this month.

On March 21, Marsden’s teammates joined her in carrying out wet carpet, padding, woodwork and furniture from her family’s home. They also helped push water out of the house and sandbag around the property.

“Those girls were rock stars,” said Cheryl Marsden, Emily’s mother.

Inspired by the players and coaches, the team’s bus driver, Todd Hanneman, made a generous contribution as well. In addition to helping with the cleanup, he drove the team to Papillion for free.

“I figure since the team wanted to donate their time and efforts to help, I can do the same,” said Hanneman.

The cleanup was one of many volunteer projects the team has taken on this year and was part of an overall lesson Head Coach Janelle Higgins hopes to instill in her players.

“I just want them to always do their part,” Higgins said. “Papillion isn’t our community, but it’s home to part of our family, and we take care of our own. Our true goal goes beyond wins on the field. It’s about being pillars in the community and kind and caring people overall.”